(VIDEO) It’s a good time to be Katharine Hayhoe.

As one of the world's leading climate scientists, Hayhoe is frequently featured in
national media discussing climate science and its impacts and solutions. But even
she doesn't get to talk about her passion with the President of the United States
and one of Hollywood's biggest stars in front of millions of people every day. Nor
does that experience usually come on the heels of yet another major honor and the
premiere of her new PBS Digital Series.

South by South Lawn

On Monday evening (Oct. 3), Hayhoe will participate in a conversation on climate change
with President Barack Obama, moderated by Academy Award-winning actor, producer and
activist Leonardo DiCaprio on the south lawn of the White House. The discussion will
focus on the importance of protecting the planet for future generations.

Recorded Oct. 3, 2016 - video begins at 38:17

"I am honored to participate in an event that puts a spotlight on this critical global
issue," Hayhoe said. "Some people may say, why focus on climate change when we have
so many other, bigger problems in the world today? The reality is we can pour all
our money and our efforts, our time and our prayers into trying to fix the big issues,
like global hunger, poverty, water contamination and disease; but if we don't fix
climate, we don't have a chance of fixing these other problems, either. Climate change
is affecting our food, our water, our air and even our economy – and those already
vulnerable and disadvantaged are the ones being hit the hardest by its impacts."

The festival will include panel discussions exploring how leaders in art, technology,
food, innovation and social change are helping to move the country forward; musical
performances from The Lumineers, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings and DJ Beverly Bond;
and interactive exhibits.

Politico and Sierra Club honors

Hayhoe recently was honored by Politico and the Sierra Club for her efforts in spreading
the message of the dangers of climate change.

Politico named Hayhoe to the annual Politico 50 list, which recognizes those in society who help shape policy and thinking in America,
especially during this election year. Writers, inventors, lawmakers and activists
comprise the list of the 50 most influential people in the national political debate.

According to Politico, the list pays tribute to the power of ideas and the people
behind them, aiming for those who shed light on the most important topics facing society
today.

"I am delighted to be named to the Politico 50 list together with Bob Inglis," Hayhoe
said. "Bob, a former Republican congressman, is leading the critical national discussion
on conservative, free-market solutions to a changing climate. It is an honor to share
this recognition with him."

Politico praised Hayhoe for her efforts at reaching out to evangelical Christians,
a group most likely to be influenced by climate science misinformation, and encouraging
them to protect the environment from the damage being done to it by humanity, leading
to climate change.

"Hayhoe has built a career around reaching out to those who share her faith, arguing
that Christians have an obligation to both protect God's creation and to exhibit the
kind of selfless love taught in the Bible," according to Politico's website. "Climate
change, she points out, affects people in developing nations, such as farmers who
cannot make a dependable income, and residents of cities who have to reckon with floods
and water shortages."

Earlier this month, the Sierra Club honored Hayhoe with its 2016 Distinguished Service Award, given to those in public
service who exhibit strong and consistent commitment to conservation over a long period
of time.

Hayhoe was nominated for this award for her work with the Climate Science Center and
her work in convincing evangelical Christians of the realities of climate change.

"My work may defy some stereotypes about the politics of science and religion," Hayhoe
said. "By defying stereotypes, my hope is that this creates the opportunity for all
of us to consider what we truly value and to align our attitudes and decisions with
the values that define us."

'Global Weirding'

Hayhoe recently teamed with Texas Tech University Public Media (TTPM) to produce a new PBS Digital Series called "Global Weirding." The series, which premieres Wednesday (Sept. 28), will explore the climate issues
society faces today, including climate change, religion, politics, global warming
and more, and how they are all connected.

"In this series, we're tackling issues head-on," Hayhoe said. "How do we even know
this global warming thing is real? Is climate change behind the crazy weather we see
today? Does fixing the climate mean we have to shut down the economy? Why are the
Pope and the National Association of Evangelicals piling on? And why do climate scientists
get so much hate mail?

"I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Hayhoe," said Jonathan Seaborn, production director for TTPM. "Education is what it's all about, and you couldn't
ask for someone more knowledgable on this topic than her."

TTPM strives to provide alternative, educational and informative programming through
the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Network and National Public Radio (NPR) to produce a large number of shows via television
and radio.

Split into two areas, KTTZ-TV and KTTZ-FM, the television broadcasting began in 1962
and the radio broadcasting began in 1987.

October 3 - Katharine Hayhoe will join President Obama and Academy Award-winning actor Leonardo
DiCaprio for a discussion about the importance of protecting the one planet for future
generations.

Following the conversation, attendees will watch the domestic premiere of DiCaprio’s
new climate documentary film Before the Flood presented by National Geographic in
a first-of-its-kind film screening on the South Lawn of the White House.

The Climate Science Center (CSC) at Texas Tech University conducts interdisciplinary research to address the
interactive effects of climate variability across the full array of landscapes within
the South Central U.S. We provide the science, tools, and information to link current
conditions with regional climate projections, and examine the real-world decision
making and planning that can be used to best anticipate, monitor, and adapt to this
projected climate change.

Comprised of 15 departments, the College offers a wide variety of courses and programs
in the humanities, social and behavioral sciences, mathematics and natural sciences.
Students can choose from 41 bachelor’s degree programs, 34 master’s degrees and 14
doctoral programs.

With over 10,000 students (8,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate) enrolled, the College
of Arts & Sciences is the largest college on the Texas Tech University campus.

KTTZ-TV Channel 5's digital signal reaches a population of approximately 330,000 in 13 counties;
cable and satellite extend service area to a total of 21 counties.

The stations diverse programming features 49 hours of educational childrens programming
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